GateHouse News Service New England Budget  August 25, 2008

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com.

cbiondi@gatehousemedia.com

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com. Please submit stories below no later than 6 p.m. local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly. Questions?

IN THE BUFF AT LUSH - Employees of new cosmetics store LUSH at Natick Collection plan to go naked - wearing only aprons - outside the mall Wednesday to urge customers to buy products with little or no packaging.
MetroWest, 6 p.m.

POSTMAN IS A PREACHER ON SUNDAYS - A West Bridgewater, Mass., mailman is delivering a lot more than mail these days – he has added sermons to his resume.
CNC, Donnelly, on wire now
With photos

FARMERS, LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM COUPONS FOR FRESH PRODUCE - Now in its 22nd year, the Farmers Market Coupon Program connects low-income residents and seniors with locally grown produce. The program, administered by the state’s Department of Agricultural Resources, has two branches: WIC, for low-income women and children, and senior.
Ledger, Hoffman and Santos, on wire now
With photos and sidebars

VIDEO: IRISH SEA MOSSERS RECALL 40 YEARS OF CAMARADERIE AT REUNION - Tanned and toned, they lived their summer days by low tide: rising hours before sunrise in order to be in their skiffs and on the water by dawn
Ledger, Keane, on wire now
With video and photos and info box

NEW VIDEO RAISES AWARENESS OF STATEWIDE HUNGER PROBLEM - Through an one-hour television special, the Massachusetts Medical Society is hoping to raise awareness of the state's hunger problem.
Daily News Tribune, Gilbride, on wire now

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS LEARN THE ROPES - Workshops teach first-time buyers the language, the process and the results.
Enterprise. Allegrini, on wire now
With photos

BACK FROM BEIJING: REPORTER SHARES HIS OLYMPIC MEMORIES - On opening day of the Beijing Olympics, Chairman Mao Zedong gazed sternly from a large portrait looming above Tiananmen Square onto a China he would not recognize today. From the balcony where "The Great Helmsman" proclaimed on Oct. 1, 1949, the founding of the Peoples' Republic of China, there was no sign of the revolutionary zealotry that once fueled the creation of the communist superpower. Returning to China for the first time in 21 years, I didn't recognize it either.
MetroWest, Bergeron, on wire now
With photos

IN WHAT COULD BE A FIRST, BARNSTABLE PURSUES SMOKE-FREE BEACHES - Barnstable residents and tourists may be asked to kick the habit of lighting up when they hit the beaches during the summer 2009 season.
Register, Ouellette, on wire now

Business

KERRY PLAYS REFEREE IN RESEARCH FUNDS DISPUTE - When Sen. John Kerry landed his gig as chairman of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship committee nearly two years ago, he seemingly found a post that could avoid public controversy. However, controversy eventually has a way of catching up with just about every legislative committee.
Ledger, Chesto, on wire now

MAKING CENTS: MANY COSTS WITH HOME OWNERSHIP - It's not called the biggest expense of a lifetime for nothing. Purchasing a house is big bucks, and the costs associated with home ownership go far beyond initial purchase expenses and monthly mortgage payments.
Ledger, on wire now

CHECKOUT LANE: KENNELS AND PET-SITTERS EACH HAVE ADVANTAGES - Owners of kennels and pet-sitting services say a pet's health and personality are important factors when choosing between using a sitter or a kennel.
Ledger, Bauer, on wire now
With photos

Opinions

ROY HARRIS: AN UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION - On the eve of this year’s gathering of Democrats in Denver, a former cub reporter looks back 40 years later at the turbulent Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Ledger, on wire now

CHRISTY MIHOS: THE MITT I KNOW: A WARNING FOR MCCAIN AND THE GOP' - Christy Mihos, a former Romney supporter and confidante, says the the one-time governor and vice presidential hopeful has only his own best interests at heart.
Ledger, on wire now

Sports

WATCH FOR PRO SPORTS at prosports@gatehousemediane.com

Lifestyles

CENTER FOR THE ARTS PROVIDES LAUNCHING PAD FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS - The persistent pairing of bands and booze forces plenty of youth music into basements, garages or out of existence altogether, save for a rare gem: The all-ages venues that let younger musicians shine in a safe environment.
MetroWest, Riley, on wire now
With photos

CHAMBERLAIN IN CHARGE AT TURTLE LANE - For more than 20 years Robin Chamberlain did it all at Turtle Lane Playhouse, the quaint musical theater space in Auburndale.
MetroWest, Megliola, on wire now
With photo

START OFF MUSIC LESSONS ON THE RIGHT NOTE - A beginner's guide to helping children choose a musical instrument.
Ledger, Fay, on wire now
With photos

OTHER NATURE: MOOSE HILL PHOTO EXHIBIT ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE - Like an alchemist, Fernando "Fred" Martins merges natural and man-made objects to create singular photographs that jar and mystify viewers' eyes and imaginations.
MetroWest, Bergeron, on wire now
With photos

PHOTOGRAPHERS EXAMINE FLOWERING BEAUTY IN DIFFERENT WAYS - Examining natural wonders through dissimilar eyes, artists Aimee McMaster and Jim Wehtje photograph the ethereal beauty of flowers and other wildlife in startlingly different ways.
MetroWest, Bergeron, on wire now
With photos

JESUIT PRIEST AND AUTHOR SAYS HUMOR IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL - "My Life With The Saints" author the Rev. James Martin offers 10 reasons why humor and laughter are good for one's spiritual life.
Ledger, Lambert, on wire now
With photo

DESIGN DILEMMAS: OLD POTS AND NEW RUGS - Question: I know it is a little late in the season, but I am just getting around to actually putting pots and plants on my patio.
CNC, Brigida, on wire now
With photo

LONGTIME BOSTON AREA RADIO PERSONALITY ENJOYING HIS RETIREMENT - He’s been a CIA sub-contractor, a radio personality, a recording artist, and a street-corner singer, but now Sean Casey is adding one more occupation to his repertoire – retiree.
Ledger, Choate, on wire now
With photo